John Florance Considine Sr.

Mankato Mortuary 1001 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 (507) 388-2202 John Florance Considine, Sr., died Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at his home in Elysian, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be at noon, on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato. Visitation will be one hour prior to mass. An Irish wake will be held Friday, 6 pm, at the Kato Ballroom, 200 Chestnut St., Mankato. Friends and well-wishers are welcome to attend. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. John was born July 1, 1928, in Rochester, MN, to Florance and Ellen Considine. He grew up on a farm outside Lewiston, MN, in Winona County until the 8th grade. His father died when John was 5, as the result of being gassed in World War I. John's mother moved their family to St. Paul, MN, when she was able to secure a position with the State of MN with her degree from Mankato Normal School (now MN State University, Mankato). After his junior year in high school, at age 17, he joined the 101st Airborne Division, at the end of World War II. Upon completion of his tour, John enrolled in St. Thomas University on the GI Bill. After his sophomore year at St. Thomas, he joined the US Air Force and completed flight training in San Antonio, TX. John was a SAC pilot in the Korean War. He was injured while serving, and returned to the US for rehabilitation in CO. While convalescing in Boulder, CO, he met the love of his life, a stewardess named Virginia Mae Kitzman. Soon after triumphing over numerous rivals for her hand, John and Mikki were married January 30, 1954, in Chapel 2 at Lowry AFB, by Fr. W. Curtis. John and Mikki lived and traveled many places while serving their country in the Air Force, including Morocco, Ohio, Germany, Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and one of their favorites, Italy. During his career as a pilot, John continued his education at various universities around the country. He earned his Bachelor's degree at Ohio University. His first Master's degree was earned at University of Southern CA, and his second was earned at St. Mary's University in Winona, MN. John resumed flying and was a SAC pilot until 1964. He retired in 1970, and then taught school in Macon, GA. John decided to move their family to MN in 1974. He was the MACBE Director for a few years. In Mankato, he helped organize the Welcome Inn and ECHO Food Shelf, for which he received the MLK Pathfinder award. He later received the Jefferson Good People Award. John is survived by one sister, Col. Rita Minogue of Lacy, WA; three of their four children: Jack (Kristine Madsen) of Mankato, Margaret of St. Petersburg, FL, Daughter-in-law, Cindy Considine of Crosby, MN, and Michael (Rita) of Apple Valley, MN; seven grandchildren, John III (Mari) of Mankato, Kourtney of Mankato, Rory (Molly) of Billings, MT, Paul (fiancé Alyse Johnson) of Great Falls, MT, Ryan of Chelsea, VT, Sean of Mankato, and Rose of St. Cloud, MN; three great-granddaughters, Brenna, Lillian, and Reegan Mae; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife 8 days prior to his passing; his parents, Florance and Ellen; three brothers, Donald, Richard, and James; and his son, Thomas Patrick Robert Considine in October of 2014.